GMC traces its roots back to 1902 and the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, which produced 75 trucks during its first three years of operation. In 1909 the company was purchased by General Motors and became General Motors Truck Company. A year later the marque GMC Truck was first shown at the New York Auto Show. In 1996 GMC dropped the word Truck from its name. The nameplate recently celebrated its centenary year in existence.